Arboretum de Balaine

Good place for a break in your journey and picnic

Noted on our map but quite hard to find from the road as badly signposted. We were looking for somewhere to picnic and this place fitted the bill, although not cheap at 12 Euro each. It is a large...

A forest of calm

After parking in a deserted wooded car park area, you enter the Chateau grounds and find a glorious garden with a lake. The Chateau is still very grand but a little faded. As we waited for our ticket...

Un aire of genteel decline

An interesting mid 19th century garden, now a little overrun that could be a gem if better cared for, set in the countryside near to Villeneuve sur Allier and little hard to find. It offered a pleas...

My Favourite Garden

We were lucky enough to be near Arboretum Balaine on a weekend on April 2016 when it hosted a heritage plant fair. Although it was cloudy and there was a pretty constant drizzle, we thoroughly enjoye...

A very lovely spot!!

The grounds are beautiful and most plants and trees are labeled. Very peaceful. There are swans, a lake and many places to enjoy. A good stop.